Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Quick Speed Presentation of Media Content

ABSTRACT

Media content quick speed presentation systems and methods are operable to present selected portions of a media content stream at a quick speed presentation rate. An exemplary embodiment receives the media content stream; identifies a normal speed scene in the received media content, wherein the normal speed scene is presented at a normal speed presentation rate; and identifies a quick speed scene in the received media content, wherein the quick speed scene is presented at a quick speed presentation rate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to co-pending U.S.utility application entitled, “Apparatus, Systems And Methods For QuickSpeed Presentation Of Media Content,” having application Ser. No.61/362,452, filed Jul. 8, 2010, and which is entirely incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Media devices, such as a set top box, are configured to receive mediacontent. The received media content may be presented on a mediapresentation device, such as a television, computer system, monitor, orthe like. The media content, such as a television program, a broadcastsports event, a movie, or the like, is received in the form of a videostream and an associated audio stream. Once received and processed, thevideo stream is presented on a display and the audio stream is outputfrom one or more speakers in a synchronized fashion.

At times, the user may not be interested in all portions of thepresented media content. For example, the periods between plays of abaseball game, football game, hockey match, tennis match, golfingtournament or the like may not be of high interest to the user. Asanother example, opening credit scenes of a movie or television programmay be uninteresting to the user. In other situations, an action scenemay be uninteresting to the user when the user is primarily interestedin the dialogue of the program (or vice-versa). So long as the presentedmedia content has been suitably buffered, stored, provided on demand, orretrieved from a memory media, the user may elect to fast forwardthrough the portions of the media content that are not of high interest.

Fast forwarding through the presented media content poses many problemsand inconveniences. One issue is that the user must visually monitor theprogress of the fast forward presentation so that normal speedpresentation can resume when the uninteresting portion of the mediacontent has passed. If the user fails to notice the conclusion of theuninteresting portion of the media content, and/or fails to actsufficiently fast enough to return to the normal speed presentationrate, the media content will have to be rewound back to the conclusionof the uninteresting portion of the media content. This process can becumbersome and annoying to the user, especially if the user repeatedlyovershoots the conclusion of the uninteresting portion of the mediacontent, and then overshoots or undershoots the rewinding back to theconclusion of the uninteresting portion of the media content.

Further, when the uninteresting portion of the media content is beingpresented in the fast forward mode, audio information is not typicallypresented. Even if the audio information is presented, the speed of thefast forward presentation (typically four times to eight times normalpresentation speed) is such that the audio portion is unintelligible tothe user. That is, the user cannot meaningfully discern any of the audiocontent.

Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to permit the user to moreconveniently advance through presentation of the uninteresting portionsof media content.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of presenting selected portions of a media contentstream at a quick speed presentation rate are disclosed. An exemplaryembodiment receives the media content stream; identifies a normal speedscene in the received media content, wherein the normal speed scene ispresented at a normal speed presentation rate; and identifies a quickspeed scene in the received media content, wherein the quick speed sceneis presented at a quick speed presentation rate.

Another exemplary embodiment receives a media content stream at a mediadevice, the media content stream comprising at least a video streamportion and an audio stream portion; monitors at least onecharacteristic of the media content stream to identify at least one of anormal speed scene and a quick speed scene in the received media contentstream; communicates the video stream portion of the normal speed sceneto a display for presentation at a normal speed presentation rate; andcommunicates the video stream portion of the quick speed scene to thedisplay for presentation at a quick speed presentation rate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a quick speed mediacontent system; and

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary media device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a quick speed mediacontent system 100. In this exemplary embodiment, the quick speed mediacontent system 100 is implemented in a media device 102, such as, butnot limited to, a set top box (STB). Embodiments of the quick speedmedia content system 100 may be implemented in other media devices, suchas, but not limited to, televisions (TVs), digital video disc (DVD)players, digital video recorders (DVRs), game playing devices, and/orpersonal computers (PCs) that are configured to receive and presentvisual and audio media content. Embodiments of the quick speed mediacontent system 100 may also be implemented in other locations in a mediacontent transport system where the media content is available forprocessing.

The media device 102 receives at least one media content stream 104 thatis provided from a media content provider 106. The media content stream104 comprises a video stream 108 and an audio stream 110 which may bepresented on one or more suitable presentation devices 112. Presentationof the video stream 108 and the audio stream 110 are synchronized witheach other. For example, the illustrated media device 102 iscommunicatively coupled to a television 114 that presents the videostream on its display 116 (and optionally, may also present the audiostream on its speakers). Alternatively, or additionally, the mediadevice 102 may be communicatively coupled to a sound system 118 thatemits the audio stream 106 on its speakers 120. Examples of the soundsystem 118 include, but are not limited to, a surround sound system, anaudio amplifier, a stereo, or the like.

An exemplary embodiment of the quick speed media content system 100implemented in a media device 102 comprises a media content quick speed(QS) transition system 122 and an optional media content quick speed(QS) transition marker system 124. During presentation of the mediacontent stream 104, portions of the media content stream 104 may berelatively uninteresting to the user. That is, the user may not wish toview presentation of selected portions of the media content stream 104.

Embodiments of the media content QS transition system 122 monitor atleast one characteristic of the media content stream, such as acharacteristic of the video stream 108 and the audio stream 110, toidentify portions of the media content stream 104 that may be defined asa normal speed scene (and thus, is presumed to be relatively interestingto the user), and that may be defined as a quick speed scene (and thus,is presumed to be relatively uninteresting to the user). The normalspeed scenes are presented at the designed presentation speed for themedia content stream 104. That is the frame rate presentation rate isthe same as, or is substantially the same as, the rate at which imageframes were captured by the video cameras during the filming of thescene. Accordingly, the normal speed scenes are presented in real timeto the viewer.

The quick speed scenes are presented at a relatively faster presentationspeed so that the quick speed scene is presented in less time than acomparable length normal speed scene. That is the frame ratepresentation rate is higher than the rate at which image frames werecaptured by the video cameras during the filming of the scene.Accordingly, during presentation of a quick speed scene, the user mayview the video stream 108, and optionally hear the audio stream 110,over a relatively shorter duration.

The quick speed scene is presented at a speed that is substantially lessthan a presentation speed during typical fast forward operation. Forexample, but not limited to, a fast forward speed presentation rate maybe at eight times (8×) or four times (4×) the rate of the normalpresentation speed of the media content stream 104. Further, during fastforward presentation, the audio stream 110 is typically not presented.Or, if the audio stream 110 is presented, the audio stream 110 is notintelligible to the user because of the fast forward presentation speed.

In contrast, in an exemplary embodiment, the video stream 108 of thequick speed scene is presented at two times (2×) speed. In anotherembodiment, the quick speed scene is presented at one-and-a-half times(1.5×) speed. Thus, the user is able to view the quick speed scene at aquick speed presentation rate that is relatively faster than a normalpresentation speed rate, but at a rate that is substantially less than atypical fast forward speed presentation rate. Any suitable quick speedpresentation rate may be used by the various embodiments, wherein thequick speed presentation rate permits meaningful viewing by the user.

Optionally, the audio stream 110 may be optionally presented at thequick speed presentation rate. Since the quick speed presentation rateis relatively slow (as compared to a fast forward speed presentationrate), the user is able to meaningfully discern the audio stream 110 asit is presented for the quick speed scene. That is, the user isgenerally able to understand the dialogue of the audio stream 110 and isable to understand other sounds, such as music, background effectsounds, and the like, of the audio stream 110. It is appreciated thataccelerating presentation of a video stream 108 may result in some levelof pitch distortion (the “chipmunk” effect). Some embodiments may beconfigured to adjust pitch of or otherwise modulate the presented audiostream 110 during a quick speed scene to improve and/or enhance thesound quality. For example, but not limited to, the pitch of thepresented audio stream 110 of a quick speed scene may be lowered. Invarious embodiments, any suitable quick speed presentation rate may beselected, wherein the quick speed presentation rate permits meaningfulhearing by the user.

Embodiments of the quick speed media content system 100 are configuredto detect normal speed scenes and quick speed scenes, and/or detecttransitions between the normal speed scene and the quick speed scene(and vice-versa), using one or more processes. When an occurrence of thequick speed scene is detected, and/or a transition is detected from anormal speed scene to a quick speed scene, the presentation speed rateis increased to the quick speed presentation rate. Accordingly, thequick speed scene is presented at the quick speed presentation rate.

When an occurrence of the normal speed scene is detected, and/or atransition is detected from a quick speed scene to a normal speed scene,the presentation speed is returned to the normal speed presentationrate. Accordingly, the normal speed scene is presented at the normalspeed presentation rate.

To facilitate disclosure of an exemplary embodiment of the quick speedmedia content system 100, operation of an exemplary media contenttransport system that provides media content to the media device 102 isdisclosed. The media content provider 106 receives media content from aplurality of local program providers (LPPs) 126 or other contentproviders. The provided media content may include, but is not limitedto, a television program, a newscast, a broadcast sports event, a movie,or the like. The media content is typically provided in the form of amedia content stream 104 that includes the video stream 108 and thesynchronized audio stream 110. For example, the LPP 126 a may bebroadcasting a movie in the media content stream 104 a. As anotherexample, the LPP 126 b may be a sports station or the like that isfilming a sporting event, such as a football game or the like, that isprovided in its media content stream 104 b.

The media content provider 110 receives the various received mediacontent streams 104 a-104 i from many different LPPs 126, even thousandsof different LPPs 126, at its programming stream receive system 128. Theprogramming stream receive system 128 processes the received mediacontent streams 104 a-104 i as necessary to prepare them fortransmission to the customers. For example, commercials or the like maybe incorporated with a particular one of the media content streams 104a-104 i. Alternatively, or additionally, the media content streams 104a-104 i may be associated with identifiers, such as channel numberand/or station call signs.

In an exemplary media content transport system, the processed mediacontent streams 104 a-104 i are communicated from the programming streamreceive system 128 to the transport channel generation system 130. Thetransport channel generation system 130 bundles selected ones of themedia content streams 104 a-104 i into one or more transport channels132.

Then, one or more of the transport channels 132 are uplinked to asatellite 134, via a corresponding transmit antenna 136. The respectivetransport channels 132 are then communicated, in the form of a wirelesssignal 138, from the satellite 134 down to a receiver antenna 140located at the customer premises 142. The received wireless signal 138with the transport channel(s) 132 therein is then communicated from thereceiver antenna 140 to the media device 102. The receiver antenna 140and the media device 102 may be configured to receive multiple transportchannels 138 from a plurality of satellites 134.

A program of interest corresponding to the presented media contentstream 104 may be selected by the user who provides suitableinstructions to the media device 102. The program of interest may beidentified by its particular “channel” and/or station call sign. Themedia device 102 tunes itself to the particular transport channel 132 onwhich the program of interest is available, and then retrieves theselected program of interest. The program of interest is then assembledinto the video stream 108 and the audio stream 110, which are thencommunicated from the media device 102 to the media presentationdevice(s) 112.

Alternatively, or additionally, the media content stream 104 may beprovided to the media device 102 over other systems. For example, butnot limited to, the media content system provider 110 may communicate aplurality of media content streams 104 over a wire-based system 144. Thewire-based system 144 may use fiber optic cables, coaxial cable, and/oranother connector that couples the media device 102 to the wire-basedsystem 144. Further, the wire-based system 144 may employ othercommunication medium to facilitate delivery of media content to themedia device 102.

As another non-limiting example, the media content stream 104 may bedelivered over the Internet (not shown) to the media device 102.Accordingly, the media device 102 may receive the content from a routerusing a wire-based medium or a wireless medium. Or, the media device 102may have a modem or the like therein that is configured to enableconnectivity to the Internet.

An exemplary embodiment of the media content QS transition system 122 isconfigured to detect whether the currently presented scene is a normalspeed scene or a quick speed scene. Detection of the scene type (normalspeed scene or quick speed scene) may be based on analyzedcharacteristics of the media content stream 104. That is,characteristics of the video stream 108, the audio stream 110, themetadata stream, and/or other suitable information in the media contentstream 104, may be analyzed to determine whether the currently presentedscene is a normal speed scene or a quick speed scene.

In an exemplary embodiment, content of an image frame of the videostream 108 is analyzed to identify image characteristics of that frame.An absence or presence of, and/or the quantity of, a particular type ofimage characteristic may be used to identify the scene type. Examples ofimage characteristics that may be analyzed include, but are not limitedto, bit number, bit depth, color palette, color balancing, and/or degreeof noise reduction. Edge analysis and/or motion vector analysis may beperformed on an image to identify edge and/or motion vectorcharacteristics of the objects in the image. Alternatively, oradditionally, a series of multiple image frames may be analyzed andcompared to improve the reliability of the determination of the scenetype. Any suitable image characteristic may be analyzed to determine thescene type.

For example, a relatively large number of a particular monitoredcharacteristic may indicate a scene type. For example, the number ofedges and/or motion vectors of a image frame may be determined. A sceneand/or a series of scenes having a large number of edges in one imageframe, or a large number of moving edges in a series of image frames,may tend to indicate that the scene type has a relatively large amountof activity (a high activity frame). Additionally, or alternatively, ascene and/or a series of scenes having a large number of motion vectorsin one image frame, or in a series of image frames, may tend to indicatethat the scene type has a relatively large amount of activity. A seriesof scenes having moving edges and/or motion vectors that move arelatively long distance across the field of a series of image framesmay also tend to indicate that the scene type has a relatively largeamount of activity. Alternatively, a scene and/or a series of sceneshaving few edges or motion vectors, or a series of scenes having movingedges and/or motion vector that move a relatively short distance, maytend to indicate that the scene type has a relatively low amount ofactivity (a low activity frame).

In an exemplary embodiment, when the number of moving edges and/ormotion vectors in an analyzed image, and/or a series of images, exceedsa predefined threshold, the scene may be identified as a high activityscene. Additionally, or alternatively, when the distance of the move ofthe edges and/or motion vectors in a series of images exceeds apredefined threshold, the scene may be identified as a high activityscene. Alternatively, when the number of moving edges and/or motionvectors in an analyzed image, and/or a series of images, is less than apredefined threshold, the scene may be identified as a low activityscene. Additionally, or alternatively, when the distance of the move ofthe edges and/or motion vectors in a series of images is less than apredefined threshold, the scene may be identified as a low activityscene.

Embodiments are configured to identify a scene as being a normal speedscene or a quick speed scene based on the determined level of activity.For example, when the media content event is a sporting event, sceneshaving a large number of moving edges, having a large number of motionvectors, and/or having large movement in motion vectors, may beidentified as scenes of interest that should be presented at the normalspeed presentation rate. On the other hand, when the media content eventis a romance movie, scenes having a large number of moving edges, havinga large number of motion vectors, and/or having large movement in motionvectors, the viewer may prefer to have those scenes presented at thequick speed presentation rate.

To illustrate, an analysis of a football game based on edge analysis(and/or motion vector analysis) may result in identifying game playscenes as having a relatively large number of moving edges (and/ormotion vectors) and/or that have edges (and/or motion vectors) that movea relatively long distance across the field of the image frame. If theuser is mostly interested in viewing actual game plays (and not theperiods between actual game play, like the huddles and/or commentary),then these scenes would be identified as normal speed scenes. On theother hand, scenes characterized by relatively few moving edges (and/ormotion vectors), and/or that have edges (and/or motion vectors) thatmove a relatively short distance across the field of the image frame,may be determined to be the periods between actual game play, like thehuddles and/or commentary. Accordingly, these scenes may be identifiedas quick speed scenes. As presentation of the football game is underway,the normal speed scenes associated with actual game play are presentedat the normal speed presentation rate. The quick speed scenes associatedwith periods between the game play is presented at the quick speedpresentation rate. It is appreciated that the user will still be ablemeaningfully view the video of the quick speed scenes, and optionally,meaningfully hear the audio of the quick speed scene, when the quickspeed scene is presented at the quick speed presentation rate.

To further illustrate, on the other hand, an analysis of a “kung-fu”action film may also be based on a suitable edge analysis (and/or motionvector analysis process). However, the user may be more interested inthe story line of the film and may be less interested in thechoreographed fighting scenes. Accordingly, scenes characterized byrelatively few moving edges (and/or motion vectors), and/or that haveedges (and/or motion vectors) that move a relatively short distanceacross the field of the image frame, may be determined to be associatedwith dialogue related to the story line, and accordingly, be defined asnormal speed scenes. Scenes characterized by a relatively large numberof moving edges (and/or motion vectors), and/or that have edges (and/ormotion vectors) that move a relatively long distance across the field ofthe image frame, may be determined to be the choreographed fightingscenes, and accordingly, be defined as quick speed scenes.

In an exemplary embodiment, content of a frame of the audio stream 110may be analyzed (monitored) to identify sound characteristics of thatframe or series of frames. An absence or presence of, and/or thequantity of, a particular type of sound characteristic may be used toidentify the scene type. Examples of image characteristics that may beanalyzed include, but are not limited to, volume, pitch, frequency, orthe like. For example, an explosion sound may tend to indicate that thescene may be associated with a lot of activity. In contrast, dialoguemay tend to indicate that the scene may be associated with aconversation related to the story line. Any suitable soundcharacteristic may be analyzed to identify the scene type. Analysis ofthe audio stream 110 may used alone, or in conjunction with, analysis ofthe video stream 108.

In an exemplary embodiment, relatively large changes in the analyzedcharacteristics of the video stream 108 and/or the audio stream 110 maybe used to detect (monitor) a transition between normal speed scenes andquick speed scenes. In an exemplary embodiment, the presentation speedof the currently presented scene may be alternated between the normalspeed presentation rate and the quick speed presentation rate upondetection of the transition. Alternatively, detection of the transitionmay be used to conjunction with analysis of other analyzedcharacteristics of the video stream 108 and/or the audio stream 110 toidentify whether the currently presented scene is a normal speed sceneor a quick speed scene.

Alternatively, or additionally, embodiments of the media content QStransition system 122 may be configured to detect (monitor) anoccurrence of a scene transition marker. In an exemplary embodiment, thescene transition marker denotes the transition between the normal speedscene and the quick speed scene (and vice-versa). Alternatively, oradditionally, the scene transition marker may be used to identifywhether the currently presented scene is a normal speed scene or a quickspeed scene.

The scene transition marker may be any suitable identifier, trigger,information, or the like, that is incorporated into the media contentstream 104 by the media content QS transition marker system 124. A scenetransition marker may be incorporated into at least one of the videostream 108, the audio stream 110, a metadata stream associated with themedia content stream 104, and/or another suitable location in the mediacontent stream 104.

For example, but not limited to, the scene may be identified as a quickspeed scene in response to detecting the occurrence of the scenetransition marker when the previous scene was a normal speed scene.Then, a subsequent scene may be identified as a normal speed scene inresponse to detecting the next occurrence of the scene transition marker(since the previous scene was a quick speed scene).

In an exemplary embodiment, the scene transition marker may be a bitflag or the like to identify whether the currently presented scene is anormal speed scene or a quick speed scene. Detecting (monitoring) a bitflag causes the media content QS transition system 122 to initiate achange in the presentation speed rate. In another embodiment, the scenetransition marker may include suitable metadata descriptor that is usedto indicate the transition between the normal speed scene and the quickspeed scene (and vice-versa), and/or that is used to indicate the scenetype. A first value of the bit flag may be associated with the normalspeed presentation rate, and the second value or the bit flag may beassociated with the quick speed presentation rate. The bit flag may belocated any suitable part of the media content stream. In an exemplaryembodiment, the bit flag may be located in a predefined location in aheader and/or footer of the data file of an image frame. Alternatively,or additionally, the bit flag may be located in a predefined location inthe audio portion and/or the metadata portion of the media contentstream.

In some embodiments, the metadata descriptor may be dedicated metadatainformation that may be used to identify whether the currently presentedscene is a normal speed scene or a quick speed scene. The metadatadescriptor may identify (monitor) the transition between the normalspeed scene and the quick speed scene (and vice-versa). Alternatively,the metadata descriptor may be metadata information that describes othercharacteristics of the currently presented scene. For example, in anexemplary embodiment, the metadata descriptor for a scene may beincluded under the moving picture experts group multimedia contentdescription standard (MPEG-7). MPEG-7 scene descriptors may be used fora variety of purposes unrelated to the embodiments described herein.However, embodiments of the quick speed media content system 100 may beconfigured to analyze such MPEG-7 scene descriptors, or other types ofscene descriptors used by other formats, to identify the transitionbetween the normal speed scene and the quick speed scene (andvice-versa). Further, an optional scene transition marker may be addedinto the media content stream 104 by the media content QS transitionmarker system 124 to facilitate detection of scene transitions by themedia content QS transition system 122.

Alternatively, or additionally, the MPEG-7 scene descriptors, or othertypes of scene descriptors used by other formats, may be used todetermine (monitor) if the currently presented scene is a normal speedscene or a quick speed scene. In an exemplary embodiment, the mediacontent QS transition system 122 and/or the media content QS transitionmarker system 124 are configured to perform a key word search of theMPEG-7 scene descriptors or the other types of scene descriptors used byalternative formats. Certain key words may be associated with a normalspeed scene or a quick speed scene. Based on the occurrence of such keywords, embodiments may then identify scene transitions, and therebyoptionally add a scene transition marker, and/or determine that thecurrently presented scene is a normal speed scene or a quick speedscene. If multiple key words are identified, then a weighting system maybe used where some key words have greater weighting that other keywords. Alternatively, or additionally, the number of key words (weightedor unweighted) associated with a normal speed scene may be compared withthe number of key words (weighted or unweighted) associated with a quickspeed scene.

In some embodiments, scene transition markers are incorporated into themedia content stream 104 by a human operator. The operator is aware ofthe nature of the programming being presented by the media contentstream 104. Further, the operator also understands, based uponpredefined instructions or other criteria, the scene type of the currentscene. That is, the operator intuitively understands which scenes arelikely to be a normal speed scene or a quick speed scene. The operator,in such applications, accesses an embodiment of media content QStransition marker system 124 to add a suitable marker into the mediacontent stream 104 in accordance with the operator's instructions. Forexample, a button or suitable controller may be provided for theoperator to actuate to cause a scene transition marker to beincorporated into the media content stream 104. Alternatively, oradditionally, a suitable interface may be available to the operator sothat a suitable metadata descriptor may be incorporated into the mediacontent stream 104. A first signal received from the operator actuatedcontroller may be associated with the transition marker identifying anormal speed scene. A second signal received from the operator actuatedcontroller may be associated with the transition marker identifying aquick speed scene.

In the various embodiments of the quick speed media content system 100,the media content QS transition marker system 124 may be located at anysuitable place within the media content transport system and/or at thecustomer premises 142. Multiple media content QS transition markersystems 124 may be used.

In some embodiments, the media content QS transition marker system 124may be communicatively coupled to, or may be integrated into, the mediadevice 102. In such embodiments, the received media content stream 104is analyzed at the media device 102. Scene transition markers areincorporated into the media content stream 104 based upon thedetermination of a change in the currently presented scene type and/orupon an identification of the scene type.

Alternatively, or additionally, an embodiment of the media content QStransition marker system 124 may be communicatively coupled to, or maybe integrated into, one or more of the LPPs 126. The media content QStransition marker system 124 is used to incorporate scene transitionmarkers into the media content stream 104 as the LPP 126 is generatingand/or processing a particular media content stream 104. The scenetransition markers may be generated automatically based on analyzedcharacteristics of the media content stream 104, and/or may be manuallygenerated by an operator.

For example, a camera operator filming a sporting event or the like, mayuse a media content QS transition marker system 124 to incorporate scenetransition markers into the media content stream 104 as the cameraoperator is filming. Alternatively, or additionally, a media content QStransition marker system 124 at the media control center that isintegrating a plurality of media content streams 104 received from aplurality of different cameras filming the sporting event mayincorporate scene transition markers into the media content stream 104as the different received media content streams 104 are integrated intoa single, cohesive media content stream 104 representing the sportingevent. Alternatively, or additionally, the LPP 126 may use the mediacontent QS transition marker system 124 to incorporate scene transitionmarkers into the media content stream 104 as the media content stream104 is further processed to add commercials or the like.

Alternatively, or additionally, an embodiment of the media content QStransition marker system 124 may be communicatively coupled to theprogramming stream receive system 128 and/or the transport channelgeneration system 130. As the programming stream receive system 128and/or the transport channel generation system 130 is processing aparticular media content stream 104, the media content QS transitionmarker system 124 may be used to incorporate the scene transitionmarkers into the media content stream 104. For example, the mediacontent QS transition marker system 124 may be used to incorporate scenetransition markers into the media content stream 104 as the mediacontent stream 104 is processed to add commercials or the like.Alternatively, or additionally, the media content QS transition markersystem 124 may be used to incorporate scene transition markers into themedia content stream 104 as the media content stream 104 is processed togenerate the transport channels 132.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an exemplary media device102. The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises a programcontent stream interface 202, a processor system 204, a memory 206, aprogram buffer 208, an optional digital video recorder (DVR) 210, apresentation device interface 212, and an optional remote interface 214.

In this exemplary embodiment, the media content QS transition system 122and the optional media content QS transition marker system 124 areimplemented as software logic. Accordingly, the memory 206 comprisesportions for storing the media device logic 216, the media content QStransition system 122, and the media content QS transition marker system124. In some embodiments, the media device logic 216, the media contentQS transition system 122, and the media content QS transition markersystem 124 may be integrated together, and/or may be integrated withother logic. Alternatively, the media device logic 216, the mediacontent QS transition system 122, and the media content QS transitionmarker system 124 may be implemented as firmware, or a combination ofsoftware and firmware.

Other media devices 102 may include some, or may omit some, of theabove-described media processing components. Further, additionalcomponents not described herein may be included in alternativeembodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. A media content provider provides the media contentstream 104 that is received by the program content stream interface 202.One or more optional tuners 218 in the program content stream interface202 selectively tune to a selected media content stream 104 inaccordance with instructions received from the processor system 204. Theprocessor system 204, executing the media device logic 216 and basedupon a request for a program of interest specified by the user, parsesout program content associated with the program of interest. The programof interest is then assembled into the video stream 108 and the audiostream 110, which are then stored by the program buffer 208. Afterbuffering, the program content can be streamed out to the mediapresentation devices 112, such as the television 114, via thepresentation device interface 212. Alternatively, or additionally, theparsed out program content may be saved into the DVR 210 for laterpresentation. In alternative embodiments, the media content stream 104may stored in an alternative storage medium.

The exemplary media device 102 is configured to receive commands fromthe user via a remote control 220. The remote control 220 includes oneor more controllers 222. The user, by actuating one or more of thecontrollers 222, causes the remote control 220 to generate and transmitcommands, via a wireless signal 224, to the remote interface 214. Thecommands control the media device 102 and/or control the mediapresentation devices 112. The wireless signal 224 may be an infraredsignal or an RF signal.

In practice, the media content stream 104 needs to be buffered and/orsaved such that a sufficient duration of media content is available forpresenting the quick speed scenes at the quick speed presentation rate.That is, if the media content stream 104 is being received and presentedon a real time basis, embodiments will not be able to present the quickspeed scenes at the quick speed presentation rate since the mediacontent stream 104 is being received in real time.

In one application, the media content stream 104 is transmitted by somepredefined duration ahead of presentation to the user. Thus, when theuser is presented the media content stream 104, a sufficient duration ofmedia content is available for presenting the quick speed scenes at thequick speed presentation rate. The predefined duration, in an exemplaryembodiment, corresponds to a difference between the duration of themedia content stream 104 presented entirely at the normal speedpresentation rate and the duration of the media content stream 104 whenthe quick speed scenes are presented at the quick speed presentationrate. However, any suitable predetermined duration may be used.

In another application, the media content stream 104 is processed andsaved into the DVR 210 (or another media storage device). The scenetransition markers may be added prior to storage of the media contentstream 104. Alternatively, or additionally, scene transition markers maybe added when the media content stream 104 is retrieved from storage forpresentation. Alternatively, or additionally, transitions between thenormal speed scenes and the quick speed scenes may be determined on areal time basis, or near real time basis, as the media content stream104 is retrieved from storage for presentation.

In another application, the media content stream 104 is received from avideo on demand (VOD) system (not shown) or other another media storagedevice that is configured to be controlled by the media device 102and/or the user. The scene transition markers may be added prior tostorage of the media content stream 104. Alternatively, or additionally,scene transition markers may be added when the media content stream 104is retrieved from the VOD system or other media storage device.Alternatively, or additionally, transitions between the normal speedscenes and the quick speed scenes may be determined on a real timebasis, or near real time basis, as the media content stream 104 isretrieved from storage for presentation.

When the quick speed scene is presented at the quick speed presentationrate, the media content stream 104 is retrieved from the DVR 210, theVOD system, or other media storage device, at a rate that corresponds toat least the quick speed presentation rate. In another embodiment, themedia content stream 104 is retrieved from the DVR 210, the VOD system,or other media storage device, and is then buffered, prior topresentation to the user. In this implementation, the user may have towait some duration prior to initiation of presentation of the mediacontent stream 104 that is retrieved from the DVR 210, the VOD system,or other media storage device.

In practice, presentation of the quick speed scenes at the quick speedpresentation rate is selectable by the user. That is, the user may optin to have quick speed scenes presented at the quick speed presentationrate, referred to as a quick speed scene presentation mode.Alternatively, the user may opt out such that the quick speed scenes arepresented at the normal speed presentation rate, referred to as a normalspeed scene presentation mode.

Further, the user may elect to opt in or opt out of the quick speedscene presentation mode at any point during presentation of the mediacontent stream 104. That is, the user may elect to have future presentedquick speed scenes presented at the quick speed presentation rate at anytime. Similarly, at any point in presentation of the media contentstream 104, the user may elect to opt out of the quick speed scenepresentation mode.

Some media content streams 104 are initially provided to the mediadevice 102 with scene transition markers incorporated into the mediacontent stream 104. The scene transition markers may have beenincorporated at any suitable point in the origination and/or processingof the media content stream 104. When the scene transition markers arepresent, an exemplary embodiments of the quick speed media contentsystem 100 is configured to generate a quick speed graphic notification226 that is presented to the user that indicates the availability ofpresentation of the media content stream 104 using the quick speed scenepresentation mode.

In some embodiments, the quick speed graphic notification 226 may be asimple pop-up type of graphic or other suitable indicator. The user isthen aware of the availability of the quick speed scene presentationmode. The user may actuate one or more of the controllers 222 on theremote control 220 to opt in or opt out of the quick speed scenepresentation mode. That is, the remote interface 214 is configured toreceive the wireless signal 224 transmitted from a remote control 220,wherein the wireless signal 224 corresponds to an instruction to operatethe media device 102 in a quick speed scene presentation mode ofoperation. In some embodiments, no action by the user within somepredetermined duration results in automatic selection of a default modeby the media device 102. The selected default mode may be to opt out ofthe quick speed scene presentation mode. Alternatively, the default modemay be to opt into the quick speed scene presentation mode.

In some embodiments, the media device 102 may permit the user to enterinto a menu system and select the quick speed scene presentation mode ina manner that is the same or similar to other user selectable options.After selection, the media device 102 operates in the selectedpresentation mode until otherwise changed by the user.

Alternatively, or additionally, the quick speed graphic notification 226may be a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI type may presentselectable options to the user. For example, an opt in and/or an opt outchoice may be presented to the user.

Alternatively, or additionally, a GUI type of quick speed graphicnotification 226 may allow the user to define a presentation speed rateof interest for the quick speed presentation rate. For example, the usermay wish to have a faster quick speed presentation rate for a sportingevent and a relatively slower quick speed presentation rate for a movie.The user may be permitted to specify a numerical value for the quickspeed presentation rate, and/or may be presented a group of quick speedpresentation rates to select from.

In some embodiments, commercials, advertisements and/or other scenes notrelated to the subject matter of the presented media content stream 104may be designated as quick speed scenes. Further, the quick speedpresentation rate for these types of scenes may be different than thequick speed presentation rate of the quick speed scenes of the presentedsubject matter in the media content stream 104. For example, commercialsmay be presented at a relatively higher quick speed presentation ratethat other quick speed scenes. In some embodiments, the commercials,advertisements and/or other scenes not related to the subject matter ofthe presented media content stream 104 may be blocked from beingdesignated as quick speed scenes. Accordingly, such blocked scenes wouldbe presented at the normal speed presentation rate.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thequick speed media content system 100 are merely possible examples ofimplementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications maybe made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thisdisclosure and protected by the following claims.

1. A method comprising: receiving a media content stream at a mediadevice, the media content stream comprising at least a video streamportion and an audio stream portion; monitoring at least onecharacteristic of the media content stream to identify at least one of anormal speed scene and a quick speed scene in the received media contentstream; communicating the video stream portion of the normal speed sceneto a display for presentation at a normal speed presentation rate; andcommunicating the video stream portion of the quick speed scene to thedisplay for presentation at a quick speed presentation rate.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the quick speed presentation rate is greaterthan the normal speed presentation rate, and wherein the quick speedpresentation rate is less than a fast forward speed presentation rate.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the quick speed presentation rate isbetween one-and-a-half times (1.5×) the normal speed presentation rateand two times (2×) the normal speed presentation rate.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a user viewing the quick speed scene may meaningfullydiscern video content and audio content the of the quick speed scene. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the media content stream toidentify at least one of a normal speed scene and a quick speed scene inthe received media content stream comprises: determining a number ofedges in an image frame; identifying the scene as the quick speed scenewhen the determined number of edges in the image frame exceeds apredefined threshold; and identifying the scene as the normal speedscene when the determined number of edges in the image frame is lessthan the predefined threshold.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinmonitoring the media content stream to identify at least one of a normalspeed scene and a quick speed scene in the received media content streamcomprises: determining a number of edges in an image frame; identifyingthe scene as the normal speed scene when the determined number of edgesin the image frame exceeds a predefined threshold; and identifying thescene as the quick speed scene when the determined number of edges inthe image frame is less than the predefined threshold.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein monitoring the media content stream to identify atleast one of a normal speed scene and a quick speed scene in thereceived media content stream comprises: determining a number of motionvectors in an image frame; identifying the scene as the normal speedscene when the determined number of motion vectors in the image frameexceeds a predefined threshold; and identifying the scene as the quickspeed scene when the determined number of motion vectors in the imageframe is less than the predefined threshold.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein monitoring the media content stream to identify at least one ofa normal speed scene and a quick speed scene in the received mediacontent stream comprises: determining a number of motion vectors in animage frame; identifying the scene as the quick speed scene when thedetermined number of motion vectors in the image frame exceeds apredefined threshold; and identifying the scene as the normal speedscene when the determined number of motion vectors in the image frame isless than the predefined threshold.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinmonitoring the media content stream to identify at least one of a normalspeed scene and a quick speed scene in the received media content streamcomprises: determining a distance of movement of at least one edge in aseries of image frames; identifying the scene as the quick speed scenewhen the determined distance of movement exceeds a predefined threshold;and identifying the scene as the normal speed scene when the determineddistance of movement is less than the predefined threshold.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein monitoring the media content stream toidentify at least one of a normal speed scene and a quick speed scene inthe received media content stream comprises: analyzing volume of theaudio portion of the media content stream; identifying the scene as thenormal speed scene when the volume exceeds a predefined threshold; andidentifying the scene as the quick speed scene when the volume is lessthan the predefined threshold.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinmonitoring the media content stream to identify at least one of a normalspeed scene and a quick speed scene in the received media content streamcomprises: analyzing volume of the audio portion of the media contentstream; identifying the scene as the quick speed scene when the volumeexceeds a predefined threshold; and identifying the scene as the normalspeed scene when the volume is less than the predefined threshold. 12.The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the media content stream toidentify at least one of a normal speed scene and a quick speed scene inthe received media content stream comprises: detecting an occurrence ofa scene transition marker in the media content stream; identifying thescene as the quick speed scene in response to detecting the occurrenceof the scene transition marker when the previous scene was a normalspeed scene; and identifying the scene as the normal speed scene inresponse to detecting the occurrence of the scene transition marker whenthe previous scene was a quick speed scene.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein monitoring the media content stream to identify at least one ofa normal speed scene and a quick speed scene in the received mediacontent stream comprises: detecting an occurrence of a scene transitionmarker in the media content stream; identifying the scene as the quickspeed scene in response to detecting the occurrence of the scenetransition marker when the previous scene was a normal speed scene; andidentifying the scene as the normal speed scene in response to detectingthe occurrence of the scene transition marker when the previous scenewas a quick speed scene.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoringthe media content stream to identify at least one of a normal speedscene and a quick speed scene in the received media content streamcomprises: determining the value of a bit flag in the media contentstream; identifying the scene as the quick speed scene in response todetermining that the value of the bit flag is a first value; andidentifying the scene as the normal speed scene in response todetermining that the value of the bit flag is a second value.
 15. Themethod of claim 1, wherein monitoring the media content stream toidentify at least one of a normal speed scene and a quick speed scene inthe received media content stream comprises: identifying at least onekey word associated with quick speed scenes in a scene descriptor; andidentifying the scene as the quick speed scene in response toidentifying the at least one key word.
 16. The method of claim 1,wherein communicating the video stream portion and the audio streamportion of the normal speed scene to the display for presentation at aquick speed presentation rate comprises: reducing a pitch of the audiostream portion.
 17. A method comprising: filming a media content stream,the media content stream comprising at least a video stream portion andan audio stream portion; adding a first transition marker into the mediacontent stream to identify a currently filmed scene as a normal speedscene; and adding a second transition marker into the media contentstream to identify a next currently filmed scene as a quick speed scene.18. The method of claim 17, wherein adding the first transition markerand the second transition marker comprises: receiving a first signalfrom an operator actuated controller, wherein the first signal isassociated with the first transition marker; and receiving a secondsignal from an operator actuated controller, wherein the second signalis associated with the second transition marker.
 19. A media device,comprising: a program content stream interface configured to receive amedia content stream with a program of interest therein; a remoteinterface configured to receive a wireless signal transmitted from aremote control, wherein the wireless signal corresponds to aninstruction to operate the media device in a quick speed scenepresentation mode; and a processor system communicatively coupled to theprogram content stream interface and the remote interface, and whereinthe processor system when operating in the quick speed scenepresentation mode is configured to: monitor the media content stream toidentify at least one of a normal speed scene and a quick speed scene inthe received media content stream; communicate the video stream portionof the normal speed scene to a display for presentation at a normalspeed presentation rate; and communicate the video stream portion of thequick speed scene to the display for presentation at a quick speedpresentation rate.
 20. The media device of claim 19, wherein theprocessor system when operating in the quick speed scene presentationmode is further configured to: reduce a pitch of the audio streamportion of the quick speed scene.